What to do about protecting distracted pedestrians

Hey, I've got a novel idea, why not put some horns, whistle, or bells on
the trains and track systems so people know they are coming? Federal train laws
require something so why not start with that.

JeromeoSalt Lake City, UT

July 31, 2012 8:21 a.m.

Truly Darwinian. Natural selection of idiots. Levity aside, this also poses a
serious threat to others. I am surprised that Utah law on automobile cell phone
use is limited to texting. Public safety need be a higher priority than some
Legislator's delusional sense of "environmental awareness." As
aware as YOU think you are, what about the OTHER GUY who is about to T-Bone your
family's car?

RanchHandHuntsville, UT

July 30, 2012 4:50 p.m.

Survival of the fittest.

Those who adapt and are able to multi-task
(pay attention and do their techy-stuff) will survive; the rest will die off;
probably sooner rather than later in today's mechanized world.

I
can't wait for homo superiorus to evolve.

Trooper55Williams, AZ

July 30, 2012 4:29 p.m.

I believe that they need to inact laws to procect the rail line and buslines
from lawsuits which can occur because of people not paying attention to were
they are walking. When you can't hear a light rail or a train, or a bus
coming, because your talking on a phone texting, or playing a game or listening
to music so loud they can't hear. Then they don't pass an law then
they should be held 100% liable for their medicial, the cost of the opertator
going to have help with what they will go through when they hit and injury or
kill someone. This is a big problem and is growing because of stupid people
doing these thing and not paying attention to their surroundings. Too many lifes
are lost because op people thinking they can mulitask and are not paying
attention to what is gone on around them. I do believe that these type of laws
are necessay to procect all concren.

RiflemanSalt Lake City, Utah

July 30, 2012 11:38 a.m.

First identify distracted pedestrians and then fit them with shock collars. We
could then get a federal grant to hire people to follow each of them and give
them a jolt at appropriate moments.

Short of that the responsibility
to avoid trains, cars, and large bodies of water probable belongs on the
shoulders of the pedestrian.

Richard LarsonGalt, CA

July 30, 2012 11:16 a.m.

Do not do a gosh darn thing!If they are too stupid to pay attention,then they deserve to get hit!

bikeboyBoise, ID

July 30, 2012 10:31 a.m.

"State and local officials are ... asking how far government should go in
trying to protect people from themselves."

In this reader's
opinion, the government shouldn't have ANY duty to protect people from
themselves.

Distracted drivers routinely kill and maim innocent
bystanders - people who just happened to be in the wrong place, at the wrong
time. By contrast, "distracted pedestrians" for the most part are only
exposing themselves to danger. And citizens should have the freedom to consider
the risks and benefits, and make those choices for themselves.

Seriously? What could be so important on your cell phone that it is worth
risking your life? Adults my age didn't have cell phones in our 20's
and 30's, yet, we seemed to be able to function in life and still get done
what was needed. We went home to our answering machines and listened to the
messages and returned calls. We managed our lives well and didn't have to
be connected to someone else 24/7. I have a cell phone but I don't use it
much. I never twitter (I have to much going on in my own life, I don't need
to be following someone else's, I don't text I like hearing the
persons voice and if they can't answer at the time maybe they
shouldn't be reading a text at the time. Modern technology is great, but
when it consumes you and you become addicted to it. . not so good. Moderation
in all things and a little common sense please.